Apparatus for cleaning vehicles



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Jan. 29, 1952 w, J, MQRISQN 2,583,703

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VEHICLES Filed April 18, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet '75/6 'c 22 Z23 E- r Patented Jan. 29, 1952 APPARATUS FOR. CLEANINGVEHICLES- William John Morison, Chelmsford, England Application April18, 1949, Serial No. 88,105 In Great Britain April 28, 1948 24 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning vehicles, and moreparticularly to the cleaning of vehicles, such as omnibuses, motor carsand the like, at a cleaning station.

Various proposals have heretofore been made to clean vehicles at awashing station having fixed pipes provided with nozzles by means ofhighpressure and low-pressure jets of a cleansing fluid issuing from thenozzles. The present invention has for its main object to enablevehicles to be cleaned mechanically at a cleaning stationin an improvedmanner, with or without the use of such jets, and another object is toprovide an improved construction of vehicle-cleaning apparatus for thatpurpose.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus for carryingout a method of mechanically cleaning a vehicle at a cleaning station,comprising the steps of imparting a cleaning movement, preferably arotary movement, to at least one wiper device mounted on a movable oneshaft situated in the guard is journalled in said brackets, and one ormore than one wiper device is carried by each shaft.

An electric motor or motors may be mounted on the carrier and arrangedto rotate the wiper devices.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide apparatus formechanically cleaning a ve hicle at a cleaning station, comprising acarrier that is constituted by a frame, preferably of U-shape as viewedin plan, and has two side limbs arranged to lie at opposite sides of thevehicle and an end limb arranged to lie at an end of the vehicle, aplurality of shafts mounted one on each limb of the frame, each of whichshafts has at least one wiper device mounted on it, means for impartingrotary motion to the shafts,

- and elevator means arranged to move the frame carrier, and moving thecarrier vertically while the wiper device or devices is or are in motionin contact with the outside of the vehicle to be cleaned. In this waythe vehicle can be drycleaned.

When wet-cleaning is required, the method comprises the further step ofsubjecting the surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, before, during orafter the cleansing operation by means of the wiper device or devices,to the action of jets or spray of cleansing liquid movable verticallywith the carrier.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved apparatus formechanically cleaning a vehicle at a cleaning station, comprising incombination a carrier, at least one wiper device mounted thereon, meansfor imparting a cleaning, preferably rotary, motion to the wiper deviceor devices on the carrier, and elevator means for moving the carriervertically in relation to the outside of the vehicle while the one ormore wiper devices are in motion and in wiping contact with the outsideof the vehicle.

Conveniently, the carrier has associated with it, and movable verticallywith it, at least one delivery pipe for cleansing liquid having aplurality of nozzles spaced apart in the direction of length thereof forcausing jets of liquid or spray to impinge on the outside of thevehicle.

The carrier is preferably of elongated formation, and a wiper device ofthe flat or bladed type, or more than one such wiper devices, may extendin the direction of length of the carrier.

Conveniently a frame constituting the carrier is formed as a guardhaving bearing brackets mounted on it in spaced relation one or morethan vertically while the wiper devices are in motion and in contactwith the vehicle.

Each limb of the frame is preferably provided with a pipe having nozzlesfor delivering a cleansing liquid against the vehicle.

The frame may have two opposed limbs arranged to lie respectively atopposite sides of the vehicle, as above described, or at opposite endsof the vehicle and the frame may be adjustable to vary the separation ofthe two opposed limbs thereby to permit the apparatus to be used forcleaning vehicles of different widths or of different lengths. The framemay be of rectangular form and the two opposed limbs may be constrainedfor adjusting movement parallel to one another. The opposed limbs may bearranged for relative adjusting movement between two positions providingrespectively two preselected distances of separation between the opposedlimbs. This feature is of particular advantage in connection with thecleaning of omnibuses which are each of one of two standardised widthswhen omnibuses of each of these widths have frequently to be cleaned atthe same cleaning station. The opposed limbs may be spring-urgedrelatively towards one another to a preselected position of lesserseparation and may be arranged to be moved to, and held in, apreselected position of greater separation by an over-centred togglemechanism.

7 When the apparatus set forth above is arranged under a superstructure,such as a roof of a garage or other building, the carrier is preferablysuspended from the superstructure by two sets of suspension members,such as cables or ropes, running-over sheaves or pulleys spaced apart inthe direction of travel of a vehicle to be cleaned, which sets areattached to the carrier at opposite sides thereof.

tor electric motor arranged to drive a winding device to which thesuspension members are conend limb 24 arranged to lie at an end,preferably the rear end, of the vehicle. Each limb forms a guard ofU-shape in vertical cross-section, and opens horizontally towards thespace bounded by the limbs of the frame. In Figures 1 and 3, a bracingor tie member 26 is shown nected, the reversing means preferablycomprises contactor or like means arranged to reverse the elevatormotor, and a limit switch that controls the contactor means and isoperable by driver members movable with the suspension members.

Electrical equipment controlling the elevator motor and motors forrotating the wiper devices will be described hereinafter.

The reversing means may comprise manuallyoperable switch means and maybe arranged to reverse the elevator motor when the carrier is at desiredintermediate situations between'its upper and lower end positions.

One embodiment of the invention and modifications of that embodimentwill now be described by way of example, and not by way of limitation,with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, and partly broken away,showing one construction of vehicle-cleaning apparatus according to theinvention,

showing a counterweight, taken along 5-5 of Figure 1,'

Figure 6 is .a perspective view showing wiper devices on a scale largerthan that of Figures 1 to 3, and

Figure 7 is a view showing a diagrammatic layout of the carrier, itssuspension means and other devices associated therewith,

Figures 8 and 9 are respectively a diagram of an electrical equipment ofthe vehicle-cleaning apparatus, and a modification thereof,

Figure 10 is an under-planv view of a modified carrier which isadjustable so that one side limb may be moved'to the position indicatedin broken lines, and

Figures 11 and '12 are views of one end of the carrier shown in Figure10 showing it respectively in two different positions of adjustment.

Like reference characters'designate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring first to Figures 1 to '7, apparatus for cleaning, a vehicle,such as an omnibus l0 indicated in'broken lines, at a cleaning stationor 4 edges of the openings in its limbs.

at the open end of the frame, which also has vertical struts 28 (seeFigures 3 and 6) at its 7 open inner sides. a

A number of rotary wiper-devices, each designated generally 36, ismounted in the frame, several thereof being arranged in a row in eachlimb. As shown most clearly in Figure 6, each wiper device 30.comprisesa light, four-sided, metal frame having two transverse end members 32,and two longitudinal side members 34 each carrying a flexible wipermember 36 in the form of a flapper composed of textile fabric, .chamoisleather or other convenient cleaning material. The limbs 20, 22 and 24respectively have shafts 38, 40 and 42 journalled in them at or neartheir ends, on each of which shafts the frames of wiper devices arefixed, as shown in Figure 4 and at 44 in Figure 6. These shafts thusconstitute rotary carriers for the wiper devices in the guards. Bearingsof the shaft 38 are shown at 43 and 45 in Figure 2.

The three shafts 38, 46 and 42 are each ar-- ranged to be separatelydriven by electric motors :36, 58 and 56 respectively, which arerespectively mounted on the outside of the three limbs 20, 22 and 24 ofthe frame. Each wiper motor is arranged to drive its allotted shaftthroughreduction gearing, as shown at 52 in Figure 2 in connection withthe motor 46. 7

A spray pipe 54 of U-shape similar to the U-frame I8 is carried by thelatter at the lower This pipe 54 has a number of nozzles 53 (see Figure6) on each limb spaced apart in the direction of -length thereof fordirecting jets of spray towards the vehicle; A flexible supply pipe 55for a cleansing liquid, such as water, with or without a detergent,

is connected to the spray pipe 54, as shown in Figure l, and has acontrol valve 51 as shown in Figure 7. V r

Suspension means arranged to move the carrier IS with the shafts andwiper devices 30 in it vertically, while the wiper devices are in rotarymotion and in contact with the vehicle I0, comprises two sets offlexible suspension members constituted by cables of ropes 56 and 58,one at each side of the frame 68. As shown in Figure 1,

garage having a superstructure l2 constituted 7 V by a roof, shownbroken away,,an' end wall l4,

and guide members IS on the ground or floor for the vehicle-wheels,comprises a carrier'constitu-ted by -a three-sided. frame of U-shape, asviewed in plan, designated generally [8. This ropes 56 and 58.

the ropes 56 have each one vertical end portion attached to aneye-bracket 60 fixed to the outside of the limb 20 near the lower edgethereof. These ropes pass over rotary members 62 in the form of sheavesor pulleys journalled in brackets] 64 mounted on the roof l2, and arejoined to a tie rope 68 which, as shown in Figure '7, passes over endsheaves at '19 down to a counterweight H.

The set of ropes 58 running over sheaves 63 is arranged similarly, andis joined to a tierope .2 connected to the same counterweight 7| whichis provided with a guard 13 and is common to all the Any convenientdriving means for operating the supporting cables or ropes andtherebylowering and raisin the frame l8 may be provided. As illustrated,an electrically driven winding device 14 has a drum 76 around which acable'lls wound. The cable Ihas its ends attached to the rope l2atspaced positions 8, 9 thereon. {The electric motor driving the:winding device 14 is indicated at 18 in Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 8, the electrical equipment for controlling theoperation of the vehicle-cleaning apparatus comprisestwo current supplymains 80 and 82, a change-over travel limit switch, designated generally84, operable by two driver members 86 and 88 (see Figure '7) on a cable,e. g. 68, of one of the sets of supporting cables, two pairs ofmanually-controlled switches, designated generally 90 and 92, operableby a twoarmed manual lever 94, 95, the three wiper motors 46, 48 and 50,each having one terminal connected to the main 82, two contactordevices, designated generally 96 and 98, arranged to control the winchmotor 18 and a third contactor device I30 arranged to control the wipermotors 46, 48 and 50. The distance apart of the driver members 86, 88may be about 15 feet, 1. e. rather longer than the height through whichit is desired to lift the frame I8.

The travel limit switch 84'comprises two fixed contact-pieces I02 andI04 both connected to the supply main 80, and two movable contact-piecesI06 and I08 operable by a pivotally mounted control arm N of invertedT-shape which can be rocked in opposite directions by the driver member86 and 88, as described hereinafter.

The two pairs of switches 90 and 92 are both controlled by the manuallyoperable lever 93 having two arms 94 and 95, which switches haverespectively two fixed contact-pieces H2, H4 and H6, H8 and two movablecontact pieces I20, I22 and I24, I26. The fixed contact-pieces H2 and H8are respectively connected to the movable contact-pieces I08 and I06 ofthe change-over limit switch 84, and the fixed contact-pieces I I4 andH6 are connected together and by way of a winding I28 of a thirdcontactor I30 to the main 80.

The contactor I30 has one set of three terminals I32, I33, I34 connectedto one terminal of each of themotors 46, 48 and 50 and has a second setof contact-pieces I36, I31 and I38 connected to the main 80. The otherterminals of the motors 46, 48 and 50 are connected to the main 82.

The contactor 96 has one set of contact-pieces I40, MI and I42, and asecond set of contactpieces I44, I45 and I46. The contact 98'hasone setof contact-pieces I48, I49 and I50, and a second set of contact-pieces I52, I53 and I54. The winding II of the contactor 96 is connected to themovable'contact piece I20 of the switch 90, and by a lead 253 in serieswith a windin I55 of the contactor 98 which is connected to the movablecontact piece I26, the lead 253 being connected to the main 82. Thesecontactors 96 and 98 are connected together and to the motor I8 asfollows: i I

The contact-pieces I44 and I45 arebothconnected to the contact piecesI52 and I53, and to the main 82, and the contact-pieces I46 and I54 areconnected together. The contact-pieces I40 and I48 are connectedtogether by a lead I56 which is connected by a lead I58 to the movablecontact-pieces I22 and I24 of the manually operable switches 90 and 92.The lead I56 is also connected to one terminal of the armature of themotor I8. The contact-piece I4I of the contactor 96 is connected by alead I60 to the contact piece I50 of the contact'or 98. Thecontact-piece I42 of the contactor 96 is connected by a lead I62 to thecontact-piece I49 of the contactor 98. This lead I62 is connectedv bywayof the field winding I64 of the motor to the lead I60. The otherterminal of the armature of the motor is connectedwith the main80 and tothe two .fixed contact-pieces I02 and I04 of the limit switch, 84.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the arm IIO of the change-over limit switch84 carries a wire loop I6I which encircles the cable 68 at a situationbetween the two driver members 86 and 88. Each of these driver membershas a buffer device comprising a collar- I 63 and a compression springI65 between it and the adjacent driving device for absorbing shock wheneither of the driver members operates to change-over the limit switch84.

'The described vehicle cleaning apparatus operates as follows:

Assuming that the frame I8 carrying the wiper devices and spray pipe ismoving downwards, at the end of that movement the driver member 88 willrock the arm IIO clockwise as viewed in Figure 8, and it will close theswitch I04, I08. The switch II2, I20 is thereby connected in circuit,and when the left-hand arm 94 of the hand-control lever 93 is depressedby an operator, it will close the pair of switches 90. The switch I20, II2 is thereby closed to energize the coil I5I of the contactor 96 whichis thus operated. Owing to the switch 4, I22 being closed, the coil I28of the contacts I30 is energized through the contacts I40, I44 of theoperated contactor 96, and thus 'the contactor I30 is operated, and as aconsequence the wiper-driving motors 46, 48, 50 are started. At the sametime the energization of the contactor 96 operates the winch motor I8 torotate the winch drums 16 to wind the supporting cables in the upwarddirection. The operator is able at any time during the upward movementto return the lever 93 to its inoperative position and thereby stop thewiper motors 46, 48, 50 and the winch motor I8.

After the frame carrying the wipers and spray pipes has reached itsupper limit of travel, the travel limit switch 84 is automaticallyreversed by the driver member 86, the switch I04, I08 is opened and theswitch I02, I06 is closed. The switch II8, I26 is then connected incircuit, and when the right-hand arm of the manual control lever 93 isdepressed by the operator the wiper motors 46, 48 and 50 will be againenergised, the contactor 98 will operate, and the winch motor I8will bedriven in the opposite direction, so that the frame I8 with the wiperdevices in rotation will descend. At any time during the downwardmovement of the frame I8 the operator is able to return the lever 94, 95to its inoperative position and thereby stop all the motors 46, 48, 50and 18.

Referring now to Figure 9, this electrical equipment, shown broken away,is similar to that shown in Figure 8, but differs therefrom in theconnection of the change-over limit switch. In this equipment achange-over limit switch, designated generally I66, comprises, like thelimit switch 84,

twofixed contact-pieces I02 and I04, both connected to the supply main80, and two movable contact-pieces I06 and I08 operable by a pivotallymounted control arm IIO of inverted T-shape which can be rocked inopposite directions by the driver members 86 and 88 in the same manneras described above. In this limit switch the movable contact-pieces I 06and I08 make contact with the fixed contact pieces I02 and I04,respectively,

when the control arm H0 is held in its neutral or vertical position byits control spring I68. Consequentlythe switches II2, I20 and H8, E26,operable by the hand lever 93 are energised. When the control arm I I0isrocked by the driver members 86 and 88 in either direction, one of themovable contact-pieces I06 and I08breaks conlimb 22.

a-asazzos 7 tact with its allotted fixed contact-piece, so that one ofthe manually-operable switches H2; 120 and H8, I26 is (lo-energised, butthe other one remains energised and, when closed by the hand lever 93,energises one of the contactors 96 and 98,.so that the wiper carrier I8is moved down or up. rhis movement of the carrier l8 can be stopped andreversed by rocking the hand lever 93 to close the otheriofthe twoswitches controlled by it. Consequently the-carrier i8 can be moved upand down repeatedly between its end positions whereby the cleaninoperation by the wipersis rendered still more effective.

As shown in Figure 7,, the manually operable lever 93 is controllable atan operators stand 110 by .a handle member I72 that is pivoted on thestand and connected by two rods M4 to the lever 53. A handle member H6on the same stand is connected by a rod .lB'El to the valve 5?,so thatthe Operator can control the flow of water in the supply pipe 55 to thespraying pipe 54. The operator can then arrange that the vehicle issprayed either before, during or after the operationof the wiperdevices.

Non-mechanical indicating means is preferably provided for indicating to.an operator at the stand I10 when the vehicle is in its correct endwiseposition .in relation to the wiper carrier i8. .As illustrated, thisindicating means comprises an electric lamp I82 that is mountedon astand E84 near the operators stand I78 and throws a light v rayindicated by the broken line 486 on to a photo-sensitive device, such asa photo cell .183.

which is connected to .a control system comprising an electric circuitcontaining a thermionic vacuum valve which controls a relay arranged tooperate an indicating device, not shown, either visual or acoustic. Thearrangement issuch that when the vehicle is in its correct operativeendwise position in thewiper carrier I 8, the light ray 186 isobstructed-so that a signal is given by the control system. g

Although the wiper devices are preferably rotated, in some casesprovision may be made for giving them a reciprocatory or oscillatory.movement while in contact with the vehicle.

In the modified carrier shown in Figures 14], .11 and 12 the end limb 24and the bracing or tie member 128 of the frameare each divided from theinner surface of the side limb 22 so that the side limb 22 may be movedaway from the limb 20.

g The end limb 24 and the member 26 are :each' provided at their uppersurfaces with a longitudinally extending tube 25)! which slidably:receives a rod 202 extending laterally from the side Each rod 202 isrigidly attached at its end to the upper face of the limb 22 which .isthereby constrained to remain parallelto the limb 20, when it is movedaway from and towards it, and is also thereby constrained against end.-

wisemov'ement relative to the frame. The end limb 24 and'the member 26are each connected to the side limb 22 by a toggle mechanism 203, 204.Each toggle mechanism 293, 204 comprises two similar toggle levers 295.236 each comprising two links 261 pivoted together end-to-end'at 288.One pair of the toggle levers 205, 296 are pivoted a-t 2E0, 21! to theend limb 24 and are pivotedrat 2i2, 2i3 to'the'side limb 22. The otherpair of toggle levers 265, 286 are pivoted in a similar a manner to themember 25 and the side limb .22.

"Each of the 1inks221 is of fiat strip :form and the links '2llllieagainst "the outer end faces of the frame. The pivots connecting thelinks toin a direction parallel to the length of the irame so that whenthe links of .each toggle lever 205, 206 :are moved about their pivotsto lie colinearly as shown in Figure 12 (i. e. to make the toggle) theside limb 22 is at its maximum separation .irom the side limb 20. Thelimb 22 isurged towards the limb 20 by means of tension springs 2connecting the member 22 to the endlimb 24 nd the member2-ii, so thatwhen the toggles are "broken (as shown in Figure .11) the limbv 22 movesto a position of minimum separation from' the limb 20. Each pair oflink-to-link pivots 208 are connected together by a rigid joining link2| 5 so that each pair of toggle .levers 2ll5, 206 may only .be made andbroken together. The

' pivots 2.12, 213 and theucorresponding pair of 220 attached to theoutersidefaoeof the limb 22.

.A stop 22I is provided immediately below each toggle mechanismiso thatit can only be broken by moving the joining .links 215 downwards and .sothat when made the toggle passes slightly over centre and the springsconsequentlyiend to hold the toggles against the stops 224 in the made 7positions. The toggles are arranged to be made and broken respectivelyby two operating chains or .cords 2-2 2, .223 dependent therefrom, thechain 222 being attached to a link 224 pivoted to oneof the joininglinks 2l5 so that the toggles are broken when the chain 222 is pulled,and the other chain 223 being attached toan arm 2251c);- tending fromone of the links radially of the shaft 2I8 to form a bell-crank leverwith that link .so

that the toggles are made when thelatter chain is pulled. It will beappreciated that the limb 22 is .moved from its position of leastseparation (shown in .full lines in Figure 10.) to its position ofgreater separation (shown in broken lines in Figure 1-0) by the actionof making the toggles and is moved in the opposite direction by theaction of breaking the toggles.

Various modifications may be made in .theIdetails of constructionsdescribed above withoutdeparting from the invention. For examplawhen thecarrier of the wiper devices is of rectangular frame both of its endmembers, as well as its side members, may be equipped with the describedwiper devices. Alternatively, only two side carriers, or only two endcarriers having wiper -devices may be provided. .Also, instead of ashaft on the carrier having a number of wiper devices on it, a singlewiperdevice may extend .from end 7 to end thereof. When rotarywiper-devices are provided on the two end links of a rectangular framethe separation of the two end'limbs may be adjustable e. .g. .forcleaning the .ironts and backs or trolley buses or tramcars .ofdifferent lengths. Limbs may be moved towards or: away from one anotherbymeans of electric or other motor operating a rack and pinion or wormand pinion or other suitable mechanism. 'Iclaim; V lgzipparatus formechanicallycleaning 2. ve-

hicle at a cleaning station, comprising acarrier that is constituted :by:a .irame of 'ushap'e -as gether and to theirame extend through thelinks viewed in plan and has two side iimbs arranged to lie at oppositesides of the'vehlcle and an end limb arranged to lie at an end of thevehicle, a plurality of shafts mounted one on each limb of the frame,each of which shaftshas at least one 'wiper device mounted on it, meansfor-imparting rotary motion to the shafts, and elevator means arrangedto move the frame vertically while the wiper devices are in motion andin contact with the vehicle.

V 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each limb of the frame isprovided with a pipe having nozzles for delivering a cleansing liquidagainst the vehicle.

3. Apparatus for mechanically cleaning a vehicle, comprising incombination a superstructure, a carrier, suspension means by which thecarrier is suspended from said superstructure and which are operable toefiect vertical movement of the carrier, which carrier comprises twosubstantially horizontally extending limbs lying side by side andspacedapart horizontally along their entire length for the reception ofthe vehicle between them, at least two wiper devices mountedrespectively on the two limbs for wipin movements relative to thelimbsand allocated to two opposed sides of the vehicle respectively,means for imparting wiping movements to the wiper devices, which wiperdevicesare positioned on the limbs to extend, at least during part oftheir wiping movements, laterally from the limbs into the space betweenthem, and at least one tie member extending between the limbs at onepair of corresponding ends thereof, whereby when a vehicle is positionedbetween the limbs the wiper devices on the two limbs are at least duringthe said wiping movements maintained in wiping relation with the saidopposed sides of the vehicle by the tie member, and the carrier may, byoperation of the suspension means as aforesaid, be moved verticallywhile the wiper devices are in wipin relation with the vehicle.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the length of the tie memberis variable, whereby the separation of the two limbs may be varied topermit the apparatus to be employed for cleaning vehicles of differentwidths.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein length-adjusting means areprovided for adjusting the length of the tie member to either of twopre-selected lengths thereby providing respectively two pre-selecteddistances of separation between the two limbs.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said length adjustingmeans comprise a toggle mechanism forming part of the tie member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said toggle mechanism isan over-centered toggle mechanism, and wherein the two limbs arespringurged towards one another to relative positions in which they havea pre-selected separation, whereby the two limbs may be urged apart torelative positions in which they have a pre-selected greater separation,against the action of the spring, by operation of the over-centeredtoggle mechanism to lengthen the tie member and may be held in thosepositions of greater separation by the over-centered, toggle mechanism.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the suspension means includeflexible suspension members running over pulleys carried by thesuperstructure.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flexible suspensionmembers are arranged in two sets attached respectively to the two limbs,and wherein the members in each set and their 10 associated pulleys arespaced apart in the direction of the lengths of said limbs.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the suspension memberscarryat least one counterweight.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the suspension meansinclude a reversible motordriven winding device, and a flexible tensionmember attached to at least one of thesuspension members and wound bythe winding device on. operation thereof.

12..Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said flexible tensionmember is, intermediate in its length, wound round the winding device,and has its ends attached to one of the suspension members at positionsspaced alon the length thereof.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein reversing means areprovided for reversing the winding device when the carrier arrives atpredetermined upper and lower limit positions.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the winding device isdriven'by an electric-motor and wherein there are provided limit switchmeans, operated automaticallywhen the carrier reaches either of saidpredetermined upper and lower limit positions, to de-energize saidelectric motor and to prevent the motor from being reenergized to movethe carrier beyond said limit position.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for impartinwiping movements to the upper devices comprise at least one electricmotor carried by the carrier.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is mounted on thecarrier at least one delivery pipe for cleansing liquid, having aplurality of nozzles spaced apart in the direction of its length anddirected into the space between the limbs for directing said cleansingliquid against the vehicle.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the superstructurecomprises the roof of a build-- 18. Apparatus for mechanically cleaninga vehicle, comprising in combination a superstructure, a carrier,suspension means by which the carrier is suspended from saidsuperstructure and which are operable to effect vertical movement of thecarrier, which carrier comprises two substantially horizontallyextending limbs lying side by side and spaced apart horizontally alongtheir entire length for the reception of the vehicle between them, atleast two rotary wiper devices mounted respec tively on the two limbsand allocated to two opposed sides of the vehicle, respectively, meansfor rotating the wiper devices, which wiper devices are positioned onthe limbs to extend, at least when rotated, laterally from the limbsinto the space between them, thereby to effect on rotation wipingmovements adjacent the limbs and in the space between them, and at leastone tie member extending between the limbs at one pair of correspondingends thereof, whereby when a vehicle is positioned between the limbs thewiper devices on the two limbs are, at least during rotation of thewiper devices, maintained in wiping relation with the said opposed sidesof the vehicle by the tie member, and the carrier may, by operation ofthe suspension means as aforesaid, be moved vertically while the wiperdevices are rotated in wiping relation with the vehicle.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the wiper devices arecarried, respectively, on rotary shafts, which shafts are mounted,respec- 11 tively, for rotation, .on the two limbs and extend along thelengths of said limbs.

'20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein each limb is formed as aguard surrounding the shaft and the wiper device except on the sidethereof adjacent the space between the limbs.

'21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein each wiper devicecomprises members fixed to and extending longitudinally of the shaft, towhich members flexible wiper members are attached.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim '21, wherein the flexible wipermembers comprise flat sheets.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein two tie members extendrespectively between the two pairs of corresponding ends of the limbs.

'24. Apparatus for mechanically cleaning a vehicle, comprising incombination, a superstructure, a carrier, suspension means by which thecarrier is suspended from the superstructure and which are operable toeffect vertical movement of the carrier, which carrier comprises a framehaving two substantially horizontally extending side limbs, lying sideby side and spaced apart horizontally along their entire length for thereception of the vehicle between them, and an end limb extending betweenthe side limbs at one pair of corresponding ends thereof, at least threewiper devices mounted respectively on the said limbs for Wipingmovements relative to the limbs and allocated to three sides of thevehicle respectively,

wiper devices, which wiper devices are positioned on the limbs toextend, at least during part of their wiping movements, laterally fromthe limbs,

into the space bounded by them, whereby three sides of a vehiclepositioned within the frame may be cleaned simultaneously by operatingthe suspension means to e'fiect vertical movement of the carrier whilethe wiper devices have wiping 'movements imparted to them as aforesaidand are in wiping relation with the said sides of the vehicle.

WILLIAM JOHN 'MORISON.

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